Interesting facts
Population: 3,500 approx
What the natives are called: Saucedenos
Monuments: The Nuestra Senora del Rosario hermitage, Visigothic Necropolises, Bronze Age archaeological sites and the Llano del Hondonero natural area.
History:
Long before commerce discovered the advantages of this area, man was here, in the Palaeolithic period, the Neolithic period, the Calcolithic period and the Bronze Age, which are represented by the numerous archaeological sites in the municipality, but most of the findings are from the Roman era.
After the Roman era the Visigoths settled here, testified by remains found. But after this period there is no knowledge of any important settlements until the early years of the 18th century, from when it seems the village originated into the present town. The original village consisted of six farmhouses The initial nucleus, which was then called Puebla del Saucedo, from where the natives obtained their nickname, began a gradual progressive urbanisation and social and economic development after becoming independent from Archidona in 1827, afterwards changing its name to Villanueva del Rosario.
The town does not offer any outstanding monuments, but against the backdrop of the wonderful mountain landscape you will find the houses are low and whitewashed , following the lie of the narrow and winding streets and secluded squares, all very white and clean and a nice place to live. Of special interest is the Llano del Hondonero, at the foot of the mountains. With its mountain streams and footpaths it is ideal for trekking up into the mountains with spectacular views over the numerous olive groves, with occasional whitewashed houses contrasting with the dark green of the landscape.
Amenities:
The village has both a junior and senior school with excellent facilities. There is a regular bus service to both Antequera and Malaga. The medical centre has an urgencies which provides a 24 hour service. You can also find a doctor, dentists and various shops and bakeries, serving freshly cooked bread daily. Everything you need from a loaf of bread to a hammer and nail can be bought in the village.
Where to eat:
There are several good restaurants and bars in the village where one can sample the local dishes which ranges from, fish, game, soups, meat and various desserts of sponge cakes, almond cakes and oil cakes.
How to get there:
Heading north from Malaga take the A-45 ( N-331 ) expressway towards Antequera - Granada. When you get to Puerto de las Pedrizas continue in the right hand lane towards Granada and get onto the A-359. After approx three kilometres the first sign will be for Villanueva del Rosario onto the A-6119, this leads after about four kilometres into the village.